Fluid Mechanics – Cause of cavitation in hydraulic machines and flow systems Identify the primary condition that leads to cavitation formation in liquids (e.g., in pumps, turbines, and propeller flows).

Introduction / Context:
Cavitation is the formation, growth, and violent collapse of vapor bubbles in a liquid when local static pressure drops to (or below) the liquid’s vapor pressure at the operating temperature. It is a critical concern in pumps, turbines, ship propellers, spillways, and valves because the bubble collapse creates shock waves that can erode metal surfaces and degrade performance.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Liquid is essentially incompressible over the pressure range of interest.
• Operating temperature is such that a defined vapor pressure exists.
• Flow environments may include high velocities and geometric contractions causing pressure drops.

Concept / Approach:

Bernoulli’s principle links velocity increases to pressure decreases. Cavitation occurs whenever the local static pressure p_local falls to vapor pressure p_v. The fundamental trigger is low pressure. High velocity often contributes because it can cause a pressure drop, but velocity itself is not the direct cause—pressure is. Temperature influences vapor pressure but high temperature alone does not guarantee cavitation unless p_local approaches p_v.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Field diagnosis includes noise (rumbling), vibration, pitted surfaces, and rapidly dropping efficiency—signatures that correlate with low-pressure regions predicted by hydraulic analysis.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

High velocity (a) is a means to reduce pressure but not the root cause. High pressure (c) opposes cavitation. High temperature (d) raises p_v, making cavitation easier, but without a local low pressure the phase change will not occur. Air bubbles (e) are not a cause; they may act as nuclei but cavitation still requires low pressure relative to vapor pressure.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing symptoms (noise, vibration) with causes, or assuming cavitation only happens at pump inlets; any local low-pressure zone can trigger it.

Final Answer:

Low pressure